GCP LOCATIONS BY YEAR (2005-2013)
• 47 destinations (3 repeat locations)
• 551 travelers to-date
• 5 groups per year
• 11-12 members per group
• Groups include faculty,
staff, trustees, graduate and
undergraduate students
Because Shenandoah introduces students, faculty, staff and trustees
to these new experiences, it helps create a stepping stone to explore
their options and see the world through a different lens.
“GCP is the most amazing program, and I’m so thankful for the
opportunity to travel to Indonesia,” said Stevenson. “I went in my
junior year, and it truly changed my life, expanded my knowledge
and transformed my perspective. I believe everyone should be
globally educated and experience the world. GCP helps students
to learn about new places from a cultural foundation, really
understanding the place and the people they are traveling to see.
Every detail of the program has been carefully thought out to bring
the greatest experience while maximizing the cultural enrichment.
Though we were only there for 10 days, it seemed as though we did
a week’s worth of activity each day.”
THE BAHAMAS
MEXICO
BELIZE
TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
COSTA RICA
PANAMA
PERU
PARAGUAY
GLOBAL SPIRIT OF SHENANDOAH
The GCP experience is an example of how Shenandoah
University strives to promote a sense of community, global
education and citizenship. “It is a community learning from
one another and a collective experience that’s unique to
Shenandoah,” said Good. It parallels, in spirit and practice, a
line from Shenandoah University’s mission statement that seeks
to prepare individuals to be “… ethical, compassionate citizens
who are committed to making responsible contributions within a
community, a nation and the world.”
Director of International Programs Bethany Galipeau-Konate, a
former Peace Corps volunteer, met a group of GCP travelers while
living in Mali back in 2005. She credits the main ideas behind
GCP — global citizenship, awareness and perspectives — for
creating a dynamic learning experience.
“Shenandoah prides itself on its small class sizes and hands-on,
one-on-one teaching approach,” said Galipeau-Konate. “The
GCP is a perfect way to showcase those goals. There is nothing
more hands-on than learning about a culture and then personally
experiencing it. These life-changing lessons are what shape the
ideals of global citizenship and inspire our community to take on
whatever they choose to in the world.”
According to Good, the GCP is uniquely and distinctively
Shenandoah University. “It captures and is consistent with the
values of who we are,” he explained. “It is absolutely a learning and
educational experience that is education at its best, because it’s not
dependent on any particular knowledge provider.”
14
CHILE
ARGENTINA
CELEBRATING GLOBAL COMMUNITY
As the 10-year mark for GCP approaches, it’s important to reflect
on the significance, opportunities and inspiration it has provided
and the lives that have been changed since that first group
embarked during spring break in 2005.
Former faculty member Virginia Thomas traveled to Ethiopia
in 2011, and when asked why GCP is worth celebrating, she
passionately responded, “GCP is worth celebrating because of the
community it provides to its participants. You are first introduced
to your community on campus through the pre-trip meetings.
Whether it's getting to know your group members on your first
day or learning about the experiences of those who went on a
different trip, our at-home relationships blossom. Then you travel
to a community with a different history, culture and language
outside of what you’re used to and, in a short time, you become
a part of that community as well. Many of the people you meet
welcome you and introduce you to what they experience as citizens
of your destination. You leave the country with joy in your heart